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Topic: How do youinstall LinuxMCE?? (Read 2712 times)

The instructions don't work. First, I installed the latest version of ubutu which was rather painless. It seemed to install nicely, but apparently it didn't. I then downloaded the LinuxMCE Installer program and ran it. It made me type my password every 10 seconds to run that program.

Finally, the installer program downloaded yet another installer onto my desktop called Install LinuxMCE. Then, I inserted the Linux MCE CD and double clicked on that icon. Nothing. If I click on it in rapid succession, you can see a brief flash at the bottom of the screen Starting Administrative App, but nothing ever runs and the CD light stays off.

So, how do I install Linux MCE? Has anyone actually done it? It seems a lot more complicated than Windows. Also, is there a way to make it stop asking for a username and password every time I reboot or try to do anything? That is extremely annoying.

HI, I can say that is am so windows related that till few days i can say taht i even did not want to hear about linux solutions. (o.k i have a trixbox installed in my office but never look at it). So i am starting from zerro expiriences in linux and i sucseed in installation of LinuxMCE.I follow exactly the instructions from: http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/Download_Instructions 1. Use i386 version of Ubunto desktop 6.10 2. After installation is done, Ubunto will inform you that updates are available. Download and update. It takes around 40 min on my connection. Restart 3. Get the instalation of LinuxMCE file from :http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/Mirrors i bur the iso to CD media. 4. Get the LinuxMCE installer from here:http://linuxmce.com/download.php and save it to your desktop 5. Run the LinuxMCE installer with the downloaded and burned iso from poit 3 6.The install is done. 7. Optionla open terminal and execute the following line : sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/install-css.sh - this is for Playing encrypted DVDs in Ubuntu (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats/PlayingDVDs 8. Restart your system

The download instructions were not very clear on the version, so I downloaded Ubunto 6.06 because it didn't expire for a longer time. The instructions just say "Take an Ubuntu Live Cd and boot from it" although I didn't see until later that it says up at the top to use 6.10. They could have been a lot more clear on that and I wouldn't have wasted hours downloading the wrong version. I'm still not sure why it isn't integrated into LinuxMCE.

One thing I also noticed was that when I clicked install Linux MCE from the desktop, it destroyed my LinuxMCE CD. It would have been more polite to simply say "sorry wrong version" rather than destroying a CD like that. I had to re-burn CD from the iso (fortunately I hadn't deleted it off my xp machine). Yes, my windows machine confirmed that it was really trashed and not simply temporarily unreadable.

So finally, I installed Ubuntu 6.10. Then clicked on the MCE install. After about two hours of grinding the CD, I just went to bed. This morning, it said it was done, but it really wasn't. I went to the menu and clicked on media center and it started grinding again. After about an hour, it took me to a black screen with lines on it. There was no way out. I had to hit the reset button and start over. Now I just get into ubuntu (which by itself seems pretty nice). I'm not clear on what MCE is supposed to do, but staring at a black screen with lines on it is not very interesting.

Even after all that, it still couldn't do the most basic things like play an mp3, mpg or wmv file. I found a Linux codec pack on a web site and installed it. It was a rather complicated installation process that involves reseting the password of ROOT to something that I know, changing the settings so that you are allowed to log in as root, logging in as root, copying files to specific directories and then to other specific directories, changing permissions, and then switching back to the main user, but it now plays with a player called xine. I also loaded wine and I'm hoping I can run the ATI DVR software with it and actually record my own video like I can in windows. I have the ATI all in wonder card.

Not everything works with wine. I tried loading Nero 7.0 and it crashed in the middle of the installation process.

In summary, I'm not impressed with LinuxMCE at all. However, being a windows user, I think this unbuto Linux has some real promise. I was very impressed with that. I don't think that most windows users would be tolerant of all that root stuff. An automated install is the way to go.

Please, please, do not be put off Linux. LinuxMCE has some serious installation issues that have even time-served linux veterans scratching their heads. LinuxMCE is not easy to use. That said, Ubuntu is a fine linux distribution that should impress windows users, and IS easy to use. There are some license issues regarding wma and mp3 etc. Linux is free. Not just in cost, but also in freedom. Some software/drivers/codecs that are not free as is freedom (open source) cannot be installed automatically. Ubuntu makes it very easy to install these extras (google search 'ubuntu forum <your problem here>' and you will find the solution in a jiffy). Or you could convert your music collection to a truly free codec such as ogg-vorbis, which any linux distribution will support right out of the box and will work under windows, too.

One thing I also noticed was that when I clicked install Linux MCE from the desktop, it destroyed my LinuxMCE CD. It would have been more polite to simply say "sorry wrong version" rather than destroying a CD like that. I had to re-burn CD from the iso (fortunately I hadn't deleted it off my xp machine). Yes, my windows machine confirmed that it was really trashed and not simply temporarily unreadable.

Hahaha, you're funny... if we had a "post of the week" contest, this would be the post of the week.

You actually believe that LinuxMCE destroyed a burned CD? How much experience do you have with computers, exactly?

So, how do I install Linux MCE? Has anyone actually done it? It seems a lot more complicated than Windows. Also, is there a way to make it stop asking for a username and password every time I reboot or try to do anything? That is extremely annoying.

I'm no expert, I only installed for the first time last night and I still have the Grey Screen of Death (hardware issue I think), but here's what you need to do.

3/ Install the Ubuntu 6.1 OS on the machine by booting from the Live CD and double-clicking the Install Icon on the desktop

4/ Allow all automatic operating system updates to run

5/ Insert the LinuxMCE Packages CD

6/ From the new Ubuntu machine use firefox to access the Linux MCE Download Instruction Page and run the "Installer for Ubuntu 6.10" from there (run not save). Note:- If you access this forums page from the Ubuntu machine you can click the link I have provided.

Once you have run that an Install LinuxMCE Icon will appear on your desktop.

I can't help with setting up, but that's how to install,

Hope this helps,[Edit] I skipped though this thread only really noticing the squabble relating to Damaging CDs, Jasent has already answered the original question in far better detail than I have. Apologies.

jpmswiss

So now it's my turn. I have been sitting back waiting for somebody to have a similar problem as mine.

Anyway - this is my first linux and even though I feel a little nerdish, my first impressions of ubuntu are quite positive. I appreciate the work put into it and keeping it open source.

- ubuntu

Installation flawless. Sometimes I have to put in my wireless settings but no biggy. All in all, I like it.

- terminal

Apparently this is a powerful tool, but you gotta know the commands. My windows experience goes back to 3.1 and I can still remember a little DOS. But it doesn't help much here. Guess I'll buy a book and study up a tad.

- Linux MCE

This is one complicated piece of work. I watched the demonstration video on ehomeupgrade and was immediately drooling. I have installed it on different PCs (core, hybrid) but always the same results: nothing!

I cannot suppose the installation went OK - but when I run it, eventually the screen just "disappears". No wizard, no nothing. In the detail window I can see various things starting and at the end zilch.

I was able to log in with firefox over http://192.168.80.1 and checked out the configuration a little bit.